Roads were closed and a 50 metre cordon was put in place after a suspicious item was found in Whitehaven.
Police were contacted at 7.35pm yesterday, Wednesday September 10, after the item was found in The Snecklifter pub on Duke Street.
A precautionary 50 metre cordon was in place while police carried out assessments of the item.
Police reassured the community that agencies were working at pace to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
The cordon is affecting traffic in the area and police are also asking that people avoid the area while enquiries are conducted.
Large sections of the following streets were closed:
- Duke Street
- King Street
- Senhouse Street
- New Street
Police said they were aware of rumours circulating on social media about the incident and said there was no wider threat to the community.
This morning, police said the item did not pose any risk to the public.
Police were alerted last night, Wednesday September 10, by staff of the Snecklifter on Duke Street, who were concerned about a bag with items in that they had found.
The bomb squad was called, who assessed the items, and they said the items did not pose any risk.
Police said initial enquiries found that the bag had been in the pub for around three months.
After the police were alerted at around 7.35pm, a precautionary 50 metre cordon was put in place.
The cordon was lifted in the early hours of today.
Police added no criminal offences had been identified at this stage.
Investigative enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances and identify who the items belonged to.
Detective Chief Inspector Paddy McDonnell, of Cumberland CID, said: “Our enquiries remain ongoing.
“We are aware of speculation on social media which has circulated and understand this may cause concern to residents.
“We can reassure the public that the items found have been assessed by experts and there is no known risk to the public, who can go about their day as normal.
“There remains a police presence in the area as we carry out our enquiries.”
